The Latest: Greitens lauds plan for aluminum smelter

Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens says a new aluminum smelter will help revitalize the Missouri Bootheel region

Written by The Associated Press

MARSTON, Mo. (AP) — The Latest on plans for a new aluminum smelter in southeast Missouri (all times local):

3:35 p.m.

Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens says a new aluminum smelter will help revitalize the Missouri Bootheel region.

The company Magnitude 7 Metals announced plans Friday for a smelter at the site of the closed Noranda Aluminum plant in New Madrid County, about 150 miles south of St. Louis. The plant will employ 450 people earning, on average, about $64,000.

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CEO Bob Prusak says one line of the plant will open in May, another in November. The company has already hired 140 people who have been working as contractors. They'll now become employees.

Noranda closed in 2016 after filing for bankruptcy, costing about 900 workers their jobs.

Greitens' did not take media questions. His appearance comes as he faces an invasion of privacy indictment in St. Louis related to an affair with his hairdresser in March 2015, before he was elected governor.

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12 a.m.

A company will open an aluminum smelter in the Missouri Bootheel region, creating up to 400 jobs in one of the state's most impoverished areas.

Gov. Eric Greitens, U.S. Rep. Jason Smith and other political leaders will announce details about the new Magnitude 7 Metals plant Friday in New Madrid County. It's not clear when it will open.

Smith said in a news release this week that the company is already hiring. The plant will occupy the facility formerly operated by Noranda Aluminum, which closed after filing for bankruptcy two years ago, costing about 900 workers their jobs.

Greitens' appearance comes as he faces an invasion of privacy indictment in St. Louis related to an affair he had with his hairdresser in March 2015, before he was elected governor.

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This story has been corrected to show Magnitude 7 Metals is American, not Swiss-based.